Wednesday, September 30, 2009

U.S. News & World Report has named Columbia SC as one of America's Best Affordable Places to Retire!
Of course, I knew that already as a Columbia Realtor and life-long resident of Columbia. Columbia IS a great place to live, especially for retirees.

The complete article (September 28, 2009):

America's Best Affordable Places to Retire
U.S. News & World Report worked with a data search company to seek out places with a low cost of living and reasonable housing prices that still offered access to the services and amenities that people should look for in an ideal retirement spot. Each city on the list has high-quality healthcare and elder-care facilities, as well as an abundance of educational and cultural events.

Topping the list of reasons that Columbia SC was chosen as a BEST PLACE TO LIVE FOR RETIREMENT: low median home prices AND low owner occupied property taxes (homeowners over age 65 get even lower tax bills). The median home sale price in 2008 was about $148,000. Average property taxes were listed around $1,000. Homeowners over age 65 get a $50,000 reduction on assessed tax value to further lower property tax bills.

More reasons to choose Columbia SC for affordable retirement living:

LOW overall cost of living

GREAT weather - lots of sunshine and mild winters (snow is rare)Friendly people and Southern hospitality

Excellent health care facilities

Lake Murray - one of the BEST lakes in all of the South is popular for boating, fishing and fun

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

I've updated my GreatColumbiaSChomes.com website to include NEW MLS search features. Click below to see this website:GreatColumbiaSCHomes.com
At this website, I have 4 different MLS search features available for your convenience.

Of course, the BEST way to get started with buying ANY Lake Murray or Columbia area home is to contact Mel Coker. I live ON Lake Murray and I know Lake Murray. Mel Coker should be YOUR Lake Murray Realtor. Call Mel Coker at (803) 388-8011.

I've included one of my MLS search features below with a starting point of zip code 29036 (Chapin area).

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Tournaments are hosted frequently on the lake, including the Forest Wood Cup at Lake Murray in August 2008. Lake Murray is known as one of the most productive lakes in the Southeast for largemouth bass and striped bass. Lake Murray state record fish include: white bass, white perch, white crappie, and white catfish.